For much of the Six Nations opener in Cardiff yesterday, Brian O'Driscoll looked like a Celtic Basil Fawlty, his head swathed in a bandage held on by green tape. Not that the Dubliner was in any state of disorientation.

Wales’ latest fly-half is no stranger to taking centre stage. One-time drama student Dan Biggar used to tread the boards before his rugby career took off — “although usually only in front of about 20 people”.